December...

Having fun bringing out little bits of Christmas right now...I will add a few photos once I have had a chance to try things here and there...
I must say, I am really thankful for a bit of a change in the weather...though I know that our change in California often foretells worse weather along the midwest...on into the east...it gets me thinking about  the coming of winter...the longer nights, often bitter cold (yes, we do get freezing temperatures here, though "nothing to write home about" as my grandfather used to say), rain, snow...I feel that the season is meant somehow to tell us to gather in, to pull in closer...quiet our lives down a bit...I know that is hard, with so many things to do...!  But I hope that we can take each day this month (as those days run toward the first day of winter), and find a way to experience the quiet night of the year...
 
I am bringing out my soup and stew recipes...pairing them with a grand wine, baking some cookies and stocking up the wood for our fireplace...

Our recipe for Italian Sausage & Kale Soup

4 links Italian Sausage or 3 Links Italian & 1 link Portuguese Chorizo (to make up 1 pound)

1 (15 oz) can White Cannelini Beans

1 (15 oz0 can Diced Tomatoes

3 small potatoes (yukon gold works best)

1 quart chicken broth

1 lg onion chopped

3-4 garlic cloves grated or pressed

3/4 pound kale chopped
bay leaf
salt & pepper to taste

Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in pot...begin cooking sausages, until browned, add chopped onions, cook 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent, add garlic, cook to release the aroma, not browned, then add chopped potatoes, canned tomatoes with juice, bay leaf, salt & pepper to taste, and chicken broth...

cook until potatoes are starting to get tender, then add the kale...cook until kale is soft and tender...add a little parmigianno shaved or grated when serving...

serve with toasty crusty bread (yum) and a nice red wine...nothing too heavy...enjoy!

For those of you out and about this weekend...we will be at Alameda Flea Market...can not wait...my sons have been busy...I have been busy...and we are getting everything tucked away in the trailer to head up on Saturday...Stop by and see us if you are coming....we will be in S21 &T7  (back to back spaces, how fortunate are we?)

Also, stop by  Common Ground 
for Debra's vintage inspired Fridays...& Vintage Thingy Thursdays....